Easy Model EM37322 Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy Type 33 Class Submarine (1:700 Scale) "The officers and sailors of 361 remembered their sacred duty entrusted to them by the Party and the People. They died on duty, sacrificed themselves for the country, and they are great losses to the People's Navy."- Chairman Jiang Zemin, Central Military Commission in a condolence message to families of the dead crew from Submarine No. 361, May 2nd, 2003

The Ming class of Chinese submarines are an adaptation of the diesel/electric Romeo class submarine built in the Soviet Union, which are based on the German Type-21 U-boat of World War II.

The Central Military Commission ordered the building of the Ming class submarines in 1967 as Project 035. The construction of the first began during October, 1969 at Wuhan Shipyard. The last boat was built in 2002. A total of 20 boats were built, of which 17 are left, and most serve in the North Sea Fleet. No. 361 serving the East Sea Fleet was the thirteenth and was built in 1995 making it one of the newest in the fleet.

CNN reports that China is increasing training and exercises of its submarines in the east to carry out a policy of "sea denial" to try to counter the powerful U.S. Pacific fleet. The location of the incident, the Bo Hei Sea, is strategically important for China. It is the closest sea outlet to Beijing, and one of the busiest sea routes in the world.

Pictured here is a 1:700 scale replica of a Peoples Liberation Army Navy Type 33 Class submarine.
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Dimensions:
Length: 4-1/4 inches

Historical Account: "The Ming Dynasty" - According to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, submarine No. 361 was taking part in exercises east of Neichangshan islands in the Bo Hei Sea of Northeastern China. On April 16th, 2003, all 70 crew members of the submarine were killed when the diesel engine failed to shut down when the boat submerged and used up all the oxygen in the boat.

According to Xinhua, on May 2nd, 2003, the crippled boat was discovered by Chinese fishermen on April 25th, 2003, when they noticed the periscope sticking out.

The submarine was then towed initially to Yulin on Hainan Island, and later towed back to the northeast seaport of Dalian. The submarine was drifting for ten days because it was on a silent, no-contact drill.